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The other man chuckled. “I need a little bit of that magic back here. I’m sorry for not recognizing how much you did around here to keep things afloat. I’ve been… well, not drowning, but barely treading water. I know I used to be able to run this place, but now I feel lost.”
Alvin’s voice was so vulnerable that Dane almost didn’t believe it was him. But it was.
Dane bit the inside of his cheek. “You can make the paper the way it was before on your own. More organized. Less about clicks and more about putting out good work. Your writing is what inspired me to apply to the newspaper all those years ago.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. It’s just a matter of recapturing the memories of how you felt before.”
“Easier said than done,” he huffed.
“It’s possible. I found it out here.” Dane shrugged even though Alvin couldn’t see him. “I’m sure you can too. Without dropping everything and moving to a tiny town most people haven’t heard of, of course. Maybe a vacation will help.”
Alvin paused. “I hope so. I’ve been meaning to get away. Thanks, Dane. I’ve got to go. I hope we can stay in touch.”
“I hope so too,” Dane said, meaning every word.
He hung up, contentment filling his chest. Even though he’d left in an angry rush, he believed in Alvin. If he could find himself again, anyone could.
* * *
“How about here?” Alissa asked Caitlin, nodding at Sally’s Soup, a soup and salad lunch place that she sometimes went to when she wanted something light, but warming.
“Sure, this works.”
They crossed the street and went inside, joining the small lunch rush. Caitlin had met Alissa outside ofThe Outlet’s offices so they could walk to lunch together. Unlike the first time Alissa had lunch with Caitlin during the workday, Alissa was in a better mood and she had been ever since her date with Dane on Monday.
Alissa glanced over at her twin, who was looking up at the board with the soups of the day on it. Caitlin still hadn’t lost that emptiness in her eyes, even in a moment as small as this.
They each ordered something different so they could try each other’s soup—Alissa went with pumpkin sage and Caitlin went with chicken and rice. The restaurant was small and busy, but they found a table near the front window.
They dug into their soups and tasted each other’s. Both were delicious, just the right lunch for a cold day, but Alissa was glad she had gone with the pumpkin sage.
“What have you been up to?” Alissa asked.
“Not much.” Caitlin shrugged, pushing a chunk of chicken around in her soup. But then, she brightened. “Pearl’s teacher sent me this adorable video of her. I have to show you.”
Caitlin dug her phone out of her purse and scrolled around, then propped her phone up so they could both see it. Alissa’s heart grew as she watched Pearl sing along to a song, a big grin on her face. Her hair was up in lopsided pigtails that made her look even cuter.
“That’s so cute. Can you send it to me?” Alissa asked.
“Yeah.” Caitlin took her phone back and sent it over. “Pearl’s teacher said she’s been doing a lot better lately. She’s reading a grade level ahead. And that little girl next to her in the pink sweater is her best friend now.”
Caitlin watched the video again, a mixture of emotions on her face. But it was clear that she missed Pearl more than anything else. But that left her husband, James, behind and their relationship was the reason why she’d come here.
Alissa waited for Caitlin to put away her phone and go back to her food before she spoke again.
“You’ve talked a lot about Pearl, but how are things with James?” Alissa asked.
The sparkle in Caitlin’s eyes faded. “I don’t really want to talk about him right now.”
“I know it’s hard, but didn’t it feel better to open up last time?” Alissa nudged Caitlin with her foot.
Caitlin sighed, tearing off a piece of baguette that had come with her soup. “I guess you’re right.”
Still, Caitlin took a few moments to gather herself. Alissa waited, not wanting to interrupt whatever chain of thought she was forming.
“I talked to him again the other night,” Caitlin said. “And I don’t think we got anywhere. I have no idea how we could possibly get to that better place where we used to be. If we were even there in the first place. Now I’m not so sure.”
